Mistakes are an inevitable part of running a business. It is a common practice that a business faces a drawback due to an unpredictable financial mistake. Some blame it on ignorance, some on lack of professional guidance, while others are simply trying to find someone to blame. The fact is that 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first 18 months. Meaning that 80% of business fail within their first year.

96% of startups fail before they get to the ten-year mark, according to Inc.com. In most cases, their failure trickles down to one vital question; what could go wrong? Those who look for answers to this question early enough manage to protect their business from common risks and create the best atmosphere for its growth.

The legislation and implementation of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) expanded the scope of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to reach more organizations. The legislation made it necessary to decipher the HIPAA compliance requirements regardless of whether you’re a doctor, a software developer, or in any other profession.

Implementing Financial Controls You may be familiar with the COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission) framework for internal control. COSO has received significant attention when referenced by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) as an example of an “internal control” system as required by Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) sections 302 and 404.